Eco-holiday accessories

With 16 shopping days left, New Year's Day is quickly approaching and parties are already scheduled, so the must-have accessories are necessary for an eventful night. 

They include the pair of pumps to appear taller, the clutch to hold your belongings, the beautiful earrings, and the lip gloss for that midnight kiss. 

And the eco-friendly versions of these accessories can reduce your carbon footprint before the new year begins.

2b Alma Faux Suede Platform Pump (faux suede), $39.95, bebe.com.

Embossed Faux Crocodile Clutch (faux leather), $14.80, forever21.com.

 

Satin Gold Plated 3-Leaf Crystal Chandelier Earrings (handmade), $52, etsy.com.

LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint (paraben-free), $24, sephora.com.

Angel Jackson python eco-leather handbags

With press coverage in the September issue of Marie Claire, U.K. eco-fashion label Angel Jackson produces überglam handbags, clutches, and totes from ethically sourced leather and products. The facets of eco-fashion are widespread, but some companies use animal resources like feathers for hair accessories without taking note of the mistreatment of the animal, including a shortened lifespan, to start a fashion faux pas trend. 

Large Foldover Clutch, $170, angeljackson.com.

Sisters Katie and Millie Smith found Angel Jackson six years ago with the plan to only create vogue pieces with ethically sourced products. Dannii Minogue (Kylie's sister) and Anna Paquin are just a few celebs who have been spotted with the eco-clutches.   

Killer Satchel in Yellow, $505, angeljackson.com.

Vivienne Westwood reveals sustainable line

Laptop Case Bag (100%
recycled materials), $118,
yoox.com.

Earlier this week, British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood debuted her new collection of green bags and accessories on the popular fashion site, YOOX. 

She joined forces with the International Trade Center for its Ethical Fashion Africa Project that benefits local artisans and eco-friendly fashion.

Traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, Westwood trained women to use local sustainable resources and recycled materials to create the pieces. 

Check out the collection.

Eco-must-have: Navajo style

Gwen Stefani, Ashley Tisdale, and Blake Lively fashioning
the Navajo style. Images: people.com.

The colorful, intricate designs of the Navajo style, which represents the design for most Native American groups, make an entrance in the fashion world at different times, and these are one of those times.

Eco-fashion choices in this trend seemed to be a skimpy list, but luckily there are many vintage choices available through different companies as well as thrift shops.  

Some items will be made from upcycled or recycled fur and leather, so more of these not-so-eco-friendly materials will not be used.

Ryan Alpaca Cape (vintage), $264, shopnastygal.com.

Gypsy Love Vest (vintage), $58, lulus.com.

Vintage Woolrich Navajo Blanket Jacket (vintage) by BLACKMAGICVINTAGE, $45, etsy.com.

Truly Madly Deeply Navajo Print Tunic (made by eco-friendly company), $14.99, UrbanOutfitters.com.

Handmade Turquoise & Bamboo Necklace (fair trade), $24, tenthousandvillages.com.

JADEtribe Nicole Messenger Bag, $175, junoandjove.com.

Mosaic Magnified Bag (upcycled leather), $134.99, modcloth.com.

JADEtribe Nicole Tote Bag, $128, shopbop.com.

Eco-jewelry gifts for Valentine's Day

The countdown to Valentine's Day starts now with only five shopping days left. Since it's a holiday about love, green girls like eco-jewelry, especially the ones that come with hearts. 

Eco-jewelry can be either vintage, fair trade, or my favorite must-have, nickel-free. Nickel is a metal that causes skin irritation for many people, so there are major outlets that sell nickel-free jewelry.

Key Necklace, $5.95, hm.com.

UltraFine Silver Polished Heart Charm Bracelet, $53, qvc.com.

Gem Avenue Flower Ring, $32.99, sears.com.

Rhodium Hoop Earrings, $44, lushcrystaljewelry.com.

Goodwill hunting #4

After a relaxing holiday break, I'm still trying to get back on my regular schedule. But while hanging around home last weekend, I found time to venture the local thrift shops.

J.Crew Yellow City Fit Pants, $4

This pair of hot yellow short pants is perfect for the warm spring and summer days that will hopefully appear sooner than later. And the 'city fit' title actually makes me imagine myself sashaying in these pants on the glamorous city sidewalks.

Banana Republic Martin Beige Slacks, $4

Beige business slacks match pretty much with everything, so having a trendy pair in the closet is a plus. The multi-lined waistband sticks out since the detail is fun and classy at the same time. Cute back pockets do matter.

Vintage Purple Bead Bracelet, $3

Purple is my power color, so when I peered at this number in the glass case, I had to have it. The light purple beads from large to small definitely made the piece look timelessly dramatic. It's a stretch band, making the bracelet conveniently stick to the wrist.

Stone Charm Bracelet, $3

I love real stones as much as the next girl, and this piece may look cheap from the wire, but the coldness of the stones awakened my interest. I'm thinking of removing the tiger eye and garnet stones off the chain and maybe place them in a bracelet or necklace or a pair of earrings. Creating new masterpieces with old pieces keeps your style stay original.

Vintage Butterfly Earrings, $2.50

There's something about butterflies. These vintage earrings seemed like a fun piece of jewelry that could go with any outfit. In fact, I debuted them today. The gold wire, pearl-like beads, and detailed butterfly charms give the earrings a nice old-fashioned yet current flair.

Rummaging for good deals is not always concentrated on the search for clothes and accessories. A retro eco-activism book is still technically in style. Rik Scarce's 'Eco-Warriors: Understanding the Radical Environmental Movement' from 1990 is now on my never-ending list of must-reads.

Eco-spotlight: Madeline Weinrib

Beautifully designed clothing, furniture, and accessories made from organic fabrics is a plus in my book.

Madeline Weinrib, a New York City-based artist and designer, creates designs with eco-fashion in mind. She's also a supporter of Project Mala, a nonprofit program that helps children get an education in rural India. 

Organic and recycled notebooks

Since I'm a journalist, I can appreciate a notebook made from recycled paper. Writing with eco-style requires an eco-friendly notebook where you can jot all your important notes and save some trees at the same time.

1. Hemp Heritage Eco-Chic Journal Book, $11.95, greenfieldpaper.com

2. Envirotec 100% Recycled Wirebound Notebook, $5.49, kmart.com

3. Papyrus Blank Notepad, $4.95, greenpaperstudio.com

4. Canopy 'Bou Jumbo Journal, ecojot.com